Question posted by kylehorkley on 12 Dec 2020
Last updated on 13 December 2020
For those of you on Buspar, I have a couple questions if you don’t mind?
1) What dose are you at now?
2) What dose did you start seeing effects?
3) How long did it take you to start seeing effects / reach full effect?
4) What side effects did you have and how long did they last for? Are there any that still remain?
Thanks so much!
Hi, kyle!
We don't mind at all... we're here to share information and personal experiences.
I've been taking buspirone for a couple of years now at 60mg/day because I'm very resistant to medications and I require the high end dosages. I started at 10mg and quickly increased to 30mg/day which was when I first started feeling the effects after about a few weeks... it's hard to remember now. When I went to the 60mg the good effects hit within a couple of weeks.
As far as side effects I've been lucky... a mild headache for the first couple of days but nothing since and I've had no long term effects at all.
The medication works very well for me and I'm happy with it. It's stopped my panic attacks completely and controls my anxiety disorders about 95% I'd say.
I'm Bipolar and can't take the antidepressant/anxiolytics (Lexapro. Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) and I wouldn't touch the benzodiazepines with a ten foot pole so the buspirone has been a blessing.
Best regards and I hope this helps.
How different was 30 vs. 60 for you? I’m currently 4 weeks into 30 and I’m like you that it’s the first time I’ve felt much of a difference
I would have to say that at the 30mg I began to feel the difference and started feeling less anxious but I could tell that it wasn't enough so my doctor and I decided to try upping my dose. After a couple of weeks I started being able to do ordinary things like leaving the house, driving, and going to social events without becoming a mess of emotions. There's still a little anticipatory angst when I know I have some event or task to do but it's very manageable and once I actually get going I'm fine.
Remember that everybody responds differently to medications so effective dosages may vary greatly. You may do fine where you are given a bit more time... not too many people have to max out their dosage like me but it's perfectly acceptable if you and your doctor agree that it's needed.
I would have to say that at the 30mg I began to feel the difference and started feeling less anxious but I could tell that it wasn't enough so my doctor and I decided to try upping my dose. After a couple of weeks I started being able to do ordinary things like leaving the house, driving, and going to social events without becoming a mess of emotions. There's still a little anticipatory angst when I know I have some event or task to do but it's very manageable and once I actually get going I'm fine.
Remember that everybody responds differently to medications so effective dosages may vary greatly. You may do fine where you are given a bit more time... not too many people have to max out their dosage like me but it's perfectly acceptable if you and your doctor agree that it's needed.
WC
PS, For most people it takes a good 4-6 weeks for the drug to become fully effective.
1. I’ve been on a 45mg dose for 19 years
2. I don’t see effects until the 45mg dose
3. It took a good six weeks to feel better
4. I still have a moderate increase in hunger, minor dizziness, and minor tiredness after doses.
I had tried several other medications for my GAD, and buspirone has had the least and most tolerable side effects. I’ve never met a doc or pharmacist that can tell me exactly how it works, but it does for me.
Good to know that you didn’t see any effects til 45! Gives me hope as I’m on 30
It’s been a lot of years, but I believe I was on 15mg a day weeks 1 and 2, 30mg a day weeks 3 and 4, and 45mg starting week 5. I remember I felt relief from the debilitating anxiety I had experienced all my life (not really knowing what anxiety was), and I finally just felt “this is what it’s like to feel ok”. I’ve periodically had my dose increased to 60mg a day, and I’ve also taken a year off with no adverse withdrawal issues. Some people love it, some people hate it. I feel very grateful that’s it’s worked for me so well for so long. I hope this helps. I firmly believe in “better living through chemistry.” Good luck to you!
buspar, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, buspirone, dosage
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